The First Ninety Days

"First Ninety Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels" is written by Michael Watkins. When I think about this book, I always think about "Securing Early Wins".  Other books in this genre include "You're in Charge, Now What?" and "The New Leaders 100-Day Action Plan."  For longer term career planning consider books such as "Five Patterns of Extraordinary Careers."

You can tell Watkins wrote the book after designing transition acceleration programs for different companies and working with leaders in transition; it is specific, or as least as specific as these types of books can be. I found his descriptive advice and illustrations helpful and I often refer back and recommend this book.

Watkin's 10 suggested strategies are:

1. PROMOTE YOURSELF. Make a mental break from your old job and establish new patterns and limits with your new boss and subordinates.

2. ACCELERATE YOUR LEARNING. Engage in effective and efficient learning in part by listening to customers, external partners, and new colleagues.

3. MATCH STRATEGY TO SITUATION. Try to diagnose the business situation accurately and clarify its challenges and opportunities.

4. SECURE EARLY WINS. Build your credibility and create momentum with early victories.

5. NEGOTIATE SUCCESS. Figure out how to build a productive working relationship with your new boss.

6. ACHIEVE ALIGNMENT. Play the role of organizational architect, especially the higher you are in an organization.

7. BUILD YOUR TEAM. Evaluate and potentially restructure your team.
      
8. CREATE COALITIONS. Your success will depend on your ability to influence people outside your direct line of control.
              
9. KEEP YOUR BALANCE. The risks of losing perspective, getting isolated, and making bad calls are ever present during transitions.

10. EXPEDITE EVERYONE. Finally, you need to help everyone else.